If the truth is out there, it may be hidden somewhere in British Columbia.
The landmark sci-fi conspiracy series ‘The X-Files’ will be returning to television for a six-episode run next year, with the series set to film in Vancouver this summer.
Actor William B. Davis, who played the mysterious ‘Smoking Man’ in the long-running series, divulged the not-so-secret shooting destination to CTV Vancouver on Thursday.
Let’s just say he has a highly-placed source telling him it’ll all go down in B.C.
“That’s my understanding, and I have my understanding from the horse’s mouth,” Davis told CTV Vancouver. That source, he says, is showrunner Chris Carter. “It will actually shoot here in Vancouver, and soon,” Davis said.
The Canadian actor, 77, is set to reprise his role in the series when it starts shooting in June.
Fox announced last week that it would be reviving the popular television series for a limited six-episode run.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are expected to reprise their starring roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, two FBI agents who investigate conspiracy theories, paranormal events and alien activity in the United States.
‘The X-Files’ made its television debut in 1993, and ran for nine seasons before it wrapped up in 2002. The series also spawned two feature films starring the show’s central cast: ‘The X-Files’ in 1998 and ‘The X-Files: I Want to Believe’ in 2008.
The first five television seasons and the second feature film were all shot in Vancouver.
Ken Priebe of the VanArts Institute credits ‘The X-Files’ with helping to jump-start Vancouver’s film production industry in the mid-1990s. He says many of those who launched their careers with ‘The X-Files’ will be getting back together to work on its TV return this summer.
“It’s like a reunion, it’s like a party for the industry here,” Priebe said.
B.C. remains a hot destination for television productions to set up shop. Hit U.S. network shows like ‘Arrow,’ ‘The Flash’ and ‘Once Upon a Time’ are all filmed in the province.
Davis praised ‘The X-Files’ for helping shape B.C.’s current media landscape by developing production crews, actors and directors in the Vancouver area.
“They really cut their teeth on this show and they’re all working now, and doing great work,” Davis said.
His villainous character is thought to have died in the show, but he says that won’t keep him from appearing in its revival.
“The Smoking Man will return. This we know,” he said. “The character has actually died, but he’s died three times.
“As they say, no one ever dies on ‘The X-Files.’”
